Berlin—Members of the State 4-H Horse Communications Team were selected on June 3, making the roster of Vermont teams heading to Eastern 4-H Horse Roundup in Kentucky this fall complete.

The 2023 State 4-H Horse Communications Contest took place at the University of Vermont (UVM) Extension office in Berlin. Vermont 4-H club members, ages 14 to 18, were eligible to participate.

Sixteen-year-old Tieghan Perry earned a place on the team for her individual demonstration, “Blind Trust.” Her horse has moon blindness, a disease that has caused blindness in one eye and also will affect the other eye. In her presentation, the Danville 4-H’er described how she and the horse have learned to cope and how she is training her to respond to voice commands so she can continue to ride and show her.

Milton 4-H’ers Lily and Samantha Provost, both 15, also are Kentucky-bound for their team demonstration, “Exhibiting Memories.” The twin sisters demonstrated creative ways to repurpose ribbons that they have won in 4-H competitions, including a wreath and swag made with rosette ribbon tops and a small pillow using Danish ribbons. 

Tieghan’s coach is Joanne Perry, Danville. Jessie Provost, Milton, is the coach for Lily and Samantha. Both teams will be practicing all summer for the national competition in Kentucky, which attracts participants from more than 30 states.

The final selection also has been made for three other Vermont teams, based on individual placements in state hippology, judging and quiz bowl contests held earlier this year.

Representing Vermont at Eastern 4-H Horse Roundup will be:

  • HIPPOLOGY: Haileigh Demers, Essex Junction; Natalie Jackman, Vergennes; Emma Sibley, Milton; Shyanne Wedge, Shoreham. Their coach is Jolene Fontaine, Jericho.
  • JUDGING: Jenna Bennett, Swanton; Viola Brown, Vernon; Seanna Erickson, Florence; Rose Ouimet, Castleton. Deb Danforth, also from Castleton, coaches this team.
  • QUIZ BOWL: Jasmine Akley and Elizabeth Brown, both from Vernon; Lillian Kascha-Hare, Milton; Britney Zager, Gill, Massachusetts. Sue Ouimet, Castleton, is their coach.

For more information about the Vermont 4-H horse program, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension livestock educator, at (802) 656-7641 or wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.